Heat exchanger



u8- 12 1930- c. P. scHuMERs l 1,772,557

HEAT EXCHANGER mm1 nec. 2o, 192s Patented Aug. 12, 1930 UNITED ASTATESPATENT OFFICE CLARENCE P. SCHUMERS, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS HEAT EXCHAN GERApplication led December 20, 1928. Serial No. 327,204.

The present invention relates to heat eX- changers, and particularly tothose which are rapid in action and substantially instantaneous tofulfill immediate demands for small quantities of tempered liquids, suchas hot water. V

The invention is particularly adapted to Water heaters but may beapplied to water coolers, or to heating and cooling any liquid medium asmay be desired.

The principles upon which the invention operates are of course old inthe broadest sense, but it is my belief that the particular manner inwhich they are applied and the l5 means I employ is new.

One object of the invention is to cause a liquid to flow in a thin layerdelined by heat transferring Walls.

A particular object of the invention is to cause a liquid to flow in athin layer defined by heat transferring walls.

A particular object is to cause a flow of liquid upward through a thinannular space.

A further object of the invention is the automatic control of the heator cold in timed relation to the How of liquid to be. tempered.

Still another object of the invention is the emptying of the thin spaceduring each period of idleness.

Another object is the provision of apparatus capable of effecting eachand all of the various purposes above set forth, and of carrying outother and ancillary objects for additional advantages of the inventionas will appear from the following description of the apparatusillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a longitudinal section of a cylindrical electricheater, including certain valve, electric, and pipe connections used incombination therewith.

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic representations of the valve andelectric switch positions.

Fig. 6 is a .modified form of heat eX- changer.

Preferably, I provide an apparatus which has a thin annular spacedefined by walls, one or both of which may be heated or cooled.

In Fig. 1 two concentric walls 10 and 11 form the space 12, and anelectrical heating unit 14 fits inside the inner wall 11 and a unit l5surrounds the outer wall 10. The walls 10 and 11 are preferably of verythin metal such as brass, bronze or copper tubing, lengths of which aresecured to suitable fittings, as by braZing or threading.' An annularring 16 provides an internal surface for the inside wall 11, and anintegral annular flange 17 provides an internal surface for the insidewall 11, and an integral annular iange 17 provides an internal surfacefor the outer wall 10.

Between the ends of the two flanges 17 the heating unit 15 is providedin any suitable way, suoli as for example, the provision of a micainsulation 18 over tube wall 10, the coil 19 of resistance wire, inlaidin a cement 2O and covered by insulating substance 21. Lead wires 22 and23 are shown.

The inner heating unit 14 may be dispensed with, depending of courseupon all the other dimensions and the uses and requirements of thedevice. F or the greatest service in heating it may be provided andemployed in combination with the outside coil. It may comprise a coil 24wound in grooves 25 in a removable core 26 which fits snugly inside theinner tube 11. Leads 27 and 28 are shown in parallel with the otherleads 22 and At the top of the device there is a pipe connection 30entering the annular space 12, and at the bottom a similar pipeconnection 31. The bottom pipe 31 is preferably used as an inlet and thetop one as an outlet. The outlet pipe 30 joins a pipe 32 vented to theair above the connection, at 33, which extends downwardly to a pointbelow the bottom of the heater where it is joined by a pipe 34. The freeend 35 of pipe 32 is used to deliver hot water into any receptacle suchas the receiver 36 to be later described.

Inlet pipe 31 serves also as a drain pipe for water left in the heater,and the several uses of pipe 31 are controlled by a suitable valve. Thevalve may have other functions as will be readily apparent from thedescription of one form of valve I have illustrated,

rin

hot. By the time `out it is at the desired temperature,

, iiroperly related to secure this effect. 'cold or cool water need bedrawn away and this being specifically, a tour-way two-port valve. ltwill or" course be understood that the same etlect and connections maybe obtained by use ot several valves, but l prefer to use the typedescribed for the reason that one contiol may be made to etect valve andelectrical connections in desired related manner.

l show in lligul a valve casing 3T into which four pipes enter, pipe 31,pipe a water supply pipe 3S and a water tlow line 39. :in operatinghandle 40 illustrated tor a valve member which controls communicationbetween the ports for said tour connections. In association with thevalve handle there is an electric switch box 4l in which electricswitches are actuated variously actlie position of the valve.

rllhe heatingT elements in the heater are controlled liu' one s *itchThe receptacle 3G has a heater 42 associated with it to` preserve theheated condition ot the water delivered by the heater. Leads 43 and 44are provided Jfor the receiver heating means.

rl`he numeral 45 indicates any other apparatus, the particular characterof which is well in mind 1aut omitted here as forming no part et thisinvention, in which heat and power, such as may be provided by a :Flowot water, is required, and in which hot water may he used. The waterflow pipe 39 is indicated in connection with device 45 as well as twoelectrical leads 46 and 47.

All the leads 47, 43, 27 and Q2 are connected to a line feed wire 48.rThe other leads 4G, 44 QS-QS are connected to three pointsin 'theswitch boi; containing` switches A, B and C (in the diagrams) and thenin common to the line feed wire 49.

In the line 31 l use a valve which permits a restricted and regulatedflow of water into the heater. ln Fig. Q, show the valve member 52 ashaving a right angular pas sageway therein for effecting conne isbetween the lines 38, 3l, 34 and 39 as aoout to be described.

ln Fig. 2 the connection 53 permits liow 'ot water from supply line 3Sinto the heater.

rEhe switch A is arranged to be closed in this positiomso that as soonas the water is perniitted to flow, heat is provided. The heater being;empty receives a slow risingsupply 01"' water, 'thus permitting thewalls to become the water is ready to flow and et course theconstruction and adjustment are discarded as het water is deliveredinitially into receiver 36. Then suliicient water is drawn oit the valveis turned to position ot l 3, shutting'o'lt'the supply of water,permitting the surplus, small in quantity, to drain from the heater intopipe 34 and hence into receptacle 3G it desired. The switch .jr

is open so that no heat supplied to the heater, but the residual heatwill serve to raise the tei peinture ot' the water, the middle and ein-iportion of the bach-running water. ln the position ot Fig'. Q switch Bmay be closed automatically to heep tl wa delivered o receptacle 36 in aheated condition. It is required tor the receptacle the ned to p "itionet Fig. 4, opening 't service is desired from apparave is turned toposition of Fig. {.l I through line 39, at time providing current to thedethe same vice by closure ot switch C.

it will be readily understood that certain fniiiilar principles. w i l-rovide thin annular space, or it may other l" ot i shape, by nestingtwo reauch elongated cups, that is, tubu .embers (SO and Gl with closedends 62 to provide a thin space (54. ihe end prorided with an oui'tlowpipe G5 which =seiit instance turns downward and -i'oni within thedevice. )utside of SO l provide me f1 A such as the jachet space (5Gtoi-ined vitliiii a third tubular member 6T havinnl a closed end (58with a how-pine The tubular members are all secured to a head littinf;vTO, having an annular tlange T i and (il. and e periphery within '.i'hejacket space G6 has a iiow line leading iiitc 'il at tbottoni. and thethin space G4 has an inlet at the bottom.

1Water, brine, rte-ain, or other liquid niav be circulated thro k thejacket, to temper walls ot the tain space, and the liqiiid g' iii the'thin space from inlet 'T3 is temed, overflowingv lthrough the outletU5. trol may he ei'ected a in the device oit gli'. l, or in any otherpreferred manner.

During` continuous operation ot the device trie direction in whichliquid `flows in the heat exchanger has little signiiicance, but whenthe device used more or less inter iittently, it may be in homes. forcool:-

etc.. drawing small quantities oif water nitei'niittcntlv. it '1 quitebeiielicial, inproiiiiti liv water (or other liquid) at the e. fedtemperature Vtor whicii it is set.

Yln 3, l have shown another moditication (iii dotted where the pipe 30is shown cnt: Y"lcd ai; o. tor connection to pipe 34, extended at $54,By this constructioinin place oi operating,- device 45, the valve may lbetween (Sil " valve controlling said drain means,

be made to deliver cold water directly to the heated water which hasbeen the same if initially temperature.

What I claim is:

l. A heat exchanger for tempering liquids comprising in combination thinwalled means forming an elongated thin walled space, closures for theends of said space, inlet-forming means near one end, outflow means nearthe other end, heat tempering means for said thin walled means, acontrol for the tempering means, a control at the inlet for liquidsupplied through said inlet, means to drain said space and commonoperating means for said two controls.

2. A heat exchanger for tempering liquids comprising in combination thinwalled means forming a vertically elongated thin space, a closure forthe bottom of said space, inletforming means near the bottom end,outflow means near the other end, heat tempering means for said thinwalled means, a control for the tempering means, a control at the inletfor liquid supplied through said inlet, means to drain said space andcommon operating means for said controls.

3. A heat exchanger for tempering liquids comprising in combination thinwalled means forming a vertically elongated thin space, a closure forthe bottom of said space, inlet-forming means near the bottom end,outflow means near the other end, tempering means for said thin walledmeans, a control for said tempering means, a two-way valve control forsaid inlet, a source of liquid to be tempered, a drain connection, saidvalve being arranged alternately to connect said source and said drainconnection to said inlet, and a common operating means for said twocontrols arranged to temper flowing liquid and to cut off temperingaction during draining of the space.

4. In a heat exchanger of the class described in combination, meansforming a vertically elongated thin space for a fiowing liquid,tempering means for liquid in said space, a control for said temperingmeans, inlet-forming means to the bottom ot' said space, outflow meansnear the top of said space, a source of' liquid, a drain connection, atwo-way valve adapted alternately to connect the inlet to said sourceand to said drain connection, said tempering control means beingoperatively related to the valve to effect tempering of liquid flowingfrom the source into said inlet and to be inoperative upon flowing fromthe inlet through the drain.

5. In combination a heat exchanger adapted for a flow of liquidtherethrough in a thin space, means for tempering the liquid flowing insaid space, a liquid supply, a valved connection for controlling theflow of liquid, means to drain liquid from said space, a said deliveredat too high a supplied, to coolvalve and the said valved connectionbeing associated for draining the space after cutting off the flow ofliquid therethrough.

6. In combination a heat exchanger adapted for a flow of' liquidtherethrough in a thin space, means for tempering the liquid flowing insaid space, a liquid supply, a. valved connection for controlling theflow of liquid, means to drain liquid from said space, a valvecontrolling said drain means, said valve and the said valved connectionbeing associated for draining the space after cutting off the flow ofliquid therethrough, a control for the tempering means, said controlbeing operatively related to the drain control valve for rendering thetempering means ineffective during draining.

7. In combination a source of liquid to be heated, an electricallyoperated heater for heating liquid flowing therethrough, electricallyoperated heating means, a delivery pipe for heated liquid, a valveddrain pipe entering the delivery pipe, and a valve between said sourceand said heater, said valve and said valved drain connection beingoperatively associated to permit draining' the heater into the deliverypipe after the flow from the source is cut olf.

8. In combination a. source of liquid to be heated, an electricallyoperated heater for heating liquid flowing therethrough, electricallyoperated heating means, a delivery pipe for heated liquid, a valveddrain pipe entering the delivery pipe, a valve between said source andsaid heater, said valve and said valved drain connection beingoperatively associated to permit draining the heater into the deliverypipe after the fiow from the source is cut off, and a switch control forthe electric heater. said switch control being operatively related tothe valved connections for supplying heat during flow of liquid from thesource and to cut off heat Iduring flow through the drain.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, an electricallyoperated liquid heater, a fluid source, a heater drain, an inlet forliquid to said heater, a receiver for heated liquid, an electric heaterfor said receiver, a valved connection between said source and saidheater, a valved connection from said heater to said drain, an electricswitch for the.

liquid heater, an electric switch for the receiver, said two valvedconnections and said electric switches being operatively associated forclosure of the liquid heater switch only during fiow of liquid throughthe heater, and for closure of the receiver heater during establishmentof the open drainage connection from the heater.

10. In a device of the class described, in combination, an electricallyoperated liquid heater, a liquid source, an inlet for liquid to saidheater, a valved connection between said source and said inlet, anelectric switch for v" said heater,

said heater, said valved connection and said switch being operativelvYassociated to closev the switch onlyv when liquid flows troni the sourcethrough the heater, a receiver for heated liquid. a liquid operateddevice, and a valved connection between said liquid source and saiddevice, said valved connection being' op erativelv7 related to the irstmentioned valved connection Ytor permitting 'flow troni the sourcethrough but one valved connection at. auf,7 one time.

ll. In a device ot the class described, in combination, anelectricallj,7 operated liquid heater, a liquid source, an inlet torliquid to valved connection between said source and said inlet, anelectric switch for said heater, said izlved connection and said s vitchbeing operativelvT associated to close the switch onlv when liquid tiowsfrom the source through the heater, a receiver tor heated liquid, aliquid operated device, a valved connection between said liquid sourceand sa` d device, said valved connection being operativel)T related tothe lirstmentioned valved connection tor permitting iow from the sourcethrough but one valved connection at any one time, an electrical ineans,and a switch tor said ineans operatively associated with said secondvalved connection Jfor closure during; operation ot said liquid operateddevice.

12. ln a device et the class described, in combination, `n electricallyoperated liquid heater, a liquid source, an inletor liquid to saidheater, a valved connection hetween said source and said inlet, anelectric switch tor said heater, said valved connection and said switchbeine' operativelyvv associated to close the switch onlv when liquidliows 'troni the source through the heater, receiver tor heated liquid,an electric heater for said rcceiver, switch 'lor said heateroperatively associated with said valved connection tor closure ot theswitch utter closure ot the valved connection to stop flow of waterthrough the heater. a liquid operated device, val'ved coniiectionbetween said liquid source and said device, said valved connectionbeine,` operatively related to the first inentioned valvcd connectiontor permitting 'llow troni the source through but one valved connectionat auf,- one tiine, an electrical ineens, and a switch tor said nieansoperativel' i second valved associated with said redirection Vtorclosure duriingoperation ot said liquid operated device.

ln a device et the class described, in combination, an electricallvToperated liquid heater, an inlet for liquid to said heater, a liquidsource, drain 'tor said heater, a liquid operated. device, a tour-waytwo-port valve having its tour ways connected (l) tosaid source, to saidinlet, to said device and (el) to said drain, and having its portsyadapted to establisa the 'following connections: (a) said source tosaid inlet, (l0) said source to said device, (c) inlet to said drain,and (d) all other positions being a nonoporating or ott-position, areceiver tor heated liquid, an electical v operated ineans as'ssociatedwith said liquid operated device, a switch .tor said incans, sai,vitchcs he'ngr operatively; ociated with :ard valve ttf operationtherewith to close the liquid lieate switch onl)v during; flow ot.'water through the heater, to close the switch oit the electricall)Toperated ineans oni)v during the establishment ot the connection tronithe liquid source to said liquid. operated device, and to open allswitcl es in the oil-position of the valve. i

ll. in a device ot the described. in combination, an electricalljiYoperated liquid heater, an inlet for liquid to said heater, liquidsource, a drain for said heater, a liquid operated toni-wav twirportvalve having; s connected to (l) said source, (n) to inlet, (3) to saiddevice and (l) to drain, and having its ports adapted to establish theiollowinfr Vconnections: (a) said source to said inlet, (c) said sourceto sait. device, (c) said inlet to said drain, and (d) all otherpositions being," a non-operating or oli'-position, a receiver forheated liquid, a heater tor said receiver, a switch 'tor said receiverheater, an electricallj.Y operated incans associated with said liquidoperated device, a switch tor said ineans, said switches beingoperatively associated with said valve for operation therewith to closethe liquid heater switch only. during llow ot water through the heater,to close said rcceiver heater switch only during; establishnient of thedrainage connectionfto close the switch ot the electricalh7 operatedn'ieansv only during the establisninent of the connection troni theliquid source to said liquid operated device, and to open all switchesin the oil-position ot the valve.

ln witness whereo't' l Arave nay signature.

CLABEN hereunto all'ixed lE l. SCHUMERS.

